Claiming to be the healthier and “better burger” restaurant in America, Smashburger opened its first Rhode Island restaurant at 1000 Bald Hill Road yesterday.

Mayor Scott Avedisian snipped the ribbon with Kevin Brown to open the restaurant franchised by Mohegan Holding, (LLC), a business diversification company owned and operated by the Mohegan Tribe.

“What makes Smashburger different from other fast food restaurants is its healthy products and menu,” Brown said.

Brown said it was important to invest in restaurants that aren’t widespread throughout the state, are some of the best performing brands in the country and that will stand out as unique in the Rhode Island market that customers will gravitate to.

He thinks Smashburger accomplishes that as a hip and upcoming burger shop that is sure to see success as the Rhode Island base learns more about it.

“Our burgers are done in under a minute, and don’t have to be kept in a holding unit,” Tony Wong, Smashburger’s general manager, and Cory Baker, assistant manager, both said.

They don’t have just burgers on their menu. Their menu includes things like fresh salads, chicken, hand-spun shakes, fries and a lot of different side options. Burgers start at $6.50.

Just before the ribbon cutting, Smashburger employees, members of the Mohegan Holding LLC and municipal leaders gathered to support Dorian Murray, an 8-year-old Rhode Island boy battling pediatric cancer. Everyone held up signs with “D-Strong” across them to show their support for Dorian and his family during these tough times.

Avedisian said that Smashburger is just another installation in the transformation of Rt. 2. Between the addition of Trader Joe’s, Panera Bread and various other new businesses up and down Bald Hill Rd., Rt. 2 is becoming a shopping and eating destination.

Brown mentioned that Smashburger wasn’t going to be their only initiative in Warwick, but in March the city will also see Arooga’s Rt. 5 Grille House & Sports Bar on Greenwich Ave., which is currently seeing a lot of success throughout Pennsylvania.

Smashburger has more than 340 restaurant locations across the United States. There are currently over 340 corporate and franchise restaurants operating in 35 states and seven countries. The 2,020-square-foot Warwick Smashburger, which has dining room seating for 65 guests and limited patio seating, will be the first location to open in Rhode Island. Regular restaurant hours will be 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Local fans are also encouraged to join Smashburger’s Smash Club. Smash Club members receive the latest news, tastiest promotions and exclusive coupons, and must be at least 13 years old or older to sign up.